Date:29/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/29/stories/2008102954180500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Salem

‘Waste management vital to prevent release of dioxins’

Staff Reporter

Need to increase awareness level of people stressed

Photo: P. Goutham

On safe disposal: K. Murugesan from School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, South Korea, addressing students of Periyar University in Salem on Tuesday. —

SALEM: Proper management of municipal waste, including plastic, is vital to prevent the release of dioxins, which are environment pollutants, researcher from School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), South Korea, K. Murugesan has said.

He was addressing the students of Periyar University at a special lecture on Recent Developments in Environmental Nanotechnology: Microbial Degradation of Dioxins, organised by the Centre for Nanotechnology, Department of Physics on Tuesday.

Exposure to dioxins, which are toxic and a serious threat to public health, can cause severe reproductive and developmental problems. “Dioxin is also well-known for its ability to damage the immune system and interfere with hormonal systems,” he says.

Paper mills and a few other industries, including the coal-based ones, contribute significantly in releasing the dioxins into the environment. The source of dioxin also comes from burning of waste. The authorities should try to adopt scientific way of disposing waste, which would help improve the environment. But many developing countries, including India, do not adopt proper ways to dispose the waste, he points out.

Mr. Murugesan said the awareness level among people should be increased to prevent exposure to dioxins. Preventive measures should be accorded top priority as the cost of reducing the level of dioxins in the environment would be huge, he stressed.

University Registrar Gunasekaran and Centre Co-ordinator C. Sekar spoke.